Senate confirms Biden pick for No. 2 role at Interior

The Senate confirmed President BidenJoe BidenJapan to possibly ease COVID-19 restrictions before Olympics 14 Republicans vote against making Juneteenth a federal holiday China supplies millions of vaccine doses to developing nations in Asia MORE’s pick for the No. 2 role at the Interior Department on Thursday with broad bipartisan support, but opposition from one progressive and a handful of Republicans.

Senators voted 88-9 to confirm Tommy Beaudreau as deputy Interior Secretary, with eight Republicans and Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersSanders opposes Biden Interior nominee in procedural vote Briahna Joy Gray on how Sanders changed the healthcare conversation Sanders ‘delighted’ DeSantis asked White House to import Canadian prescription drugs MORE (I-Vt.) opposing the nomination. 

The White House nominated Beaudreau to the role after pulling back its initially announced nominee, Elizabeth Klein, amid reported opposition from Senate moderates. 

Moderate Sen. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinSen. Manchin paves way for a telehealth revolution Manchin meets with Texas lawmakers on voting rights Schumer tees up sweeping election bill for vote next week MORE (D-W.Va.), who chairs the Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee, praised Beaudreau in a floor speech ahead of the vote. 

“His performance at his nomination hearing demonstrated that he has both a firm grasp of the issues and the ability to listen, learn and work with all sides and to find common sense solutions to difficult problems,” Manchin said.

“Mr. Beaudreau fully understands the role of the Department of the Interior in striking the balance in its dual mission of preserving and protecting our national parks and public lands and providing a large part of the energy and mineral resources that we need to power the nation,” he added.

Beaudreau has received criticism from progressive groups over work he’s done for industry, including French oil giant Total and multinational mining company BHP. 

He’s a lawyer and former Obama administration official who has previously held several roles at the Interior Department. 

He also served as the first director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior chief of staff and acting assistant secretary for land and minerals management. 

In his new role, he’ll help oversee the entire department alongside Interior Secretary Deb HaalandDeb HaalandSanders opposes Biden Interior nominee in procedural vote OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Judge halts Biden pause on new public lands oil leasing | Democrat presses Haaland on oil and gas review | EPA puts additional delay on Trump lead and copper in drinking water rule Democrat presses Haaland on oil and gas review MORE. 

During his confirmation hearing, he said that having served in government, he’s “accepting of the scrutiny and criticism that comes with holding these roles,” when asked about scrutiny from progressives. 

He added that he’s “a little bewildered” by some of the criticism because of “what I believe was a very strong track record during the Obama administration on conservation,” as well as what he described as his “tough but … fair-minded” reputation as a regulator.

The Republicans who voted against his confirmation were Sens. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzCourt fines baker 0 for refusing to make gender transition cake Overnight Defense: Top admiral shoots back at criticism of ‘woke’ military | Military guns go missing | New White House strategy to battle domestic extremism Top admiral shoots back at criticism of ‘woke’ military: ‘We are not weak’ MORE (Texas), Josh HawleyJoshua (Josh) David HawleyHillicon Valley: Big Tech critic Lina Khan named chair of the FTC | Lawmakers urge Biden to be tough on cyber during summit with Putin | TSA working on additional security regulations following Colonial Pipeline hack Big Tech critic Lina Khan named chair of the FTC Rick Scott urges NBC to demand Winter Olympics be moved from China over human rights abuses  MORE (Mo.), John KennedyJohn Neely KennedyMORE (La.), Mike LeeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeBig Tech critic Lina Khan named chair of the FTC GOP senators press Justice Department to compare protest arrests to Capitol riot Matt Stoller says cheerleading industry shows why antitrust laws are ‘insufficient’ MORE (Utah), Rand PaulRandal (Rand) Howard PaulRand Paul does not support a national minimum wage increase — and it’s important to understand why Fauci to Chelsea Clinton: The ‘phenomenal amount of hostility’ I face is ‘astounding’ GOP’s attacks on Fauci at center of pandemic message MORE (Ky.), Richard ShelbyRichard Craig ShelbyGAO rules Biden freeze on border wall funds legal The tale of the last bipartisan unicorns The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Bipartisan group reaches infrastructure deal; many questions remain MORE (Ala.), Dan SullivanDaniel Scott SullivanConcerns grow over China’s Taiwan plans China conducts amphibious landing drill near Taiwan after senators’ visit US, Taiwan to discuss trade, investments, Blinken says MORE (Alaska) and Tommy Tuberville (Ala.).